'We are a small country but we punch above our weight'

Samoa second row Brian Alainu’u’ese insists his side will be fuelled by national pride when they clash with England in Lille on Saturday.

The Pacific Islanders would need an extraordinary set of permutations to unfold in their favour to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals, but they can at least sign off a disappointing Pool D campaign by defeating England for the first time.

“We are a small country but we punch above our weight and I’m really honoured and privileged to be in the situation I am in right now. It’s massive for me, for my family,” Alainu’u’ese said.

“The message from the coaches has been to do your job as best you can, be physical in everything that you do. And with a smile on your face.

“We’ll give everything against England so the supporters can see that we are working hard.

“The best thing is we still have one more chance to show our love for the jersey and our country supporting us.”